Cecil Leitch

Charlotte Cecilia Pitcairn Leitch (13 April 1891 – 16 September 1977) was a British amateur golfer and author. She was born in Silloth, Cumberland, England, the daughter of a local physician and one of three sisters who excelled at the game of golf. Leitch won 12 national titles as well as five French Ladies Amateurs and one Canadian Women's Amateur.

Cecil Leitch
Leitch, c. 1914
Personal information
Full name	Charlotte Cecilia Pitcairn Leitch
Born	(1891-04-13)13 April 1891 Silloth, England
Died	16 September 1977(1977-09-16) (aged 86) London, England
Sporting nationality	England
Career
Status	Amateur

Early life

Leitch was born on 13 April 1891 at Monimail, Silloth, Cumberland, England,^[1] the sixth of the seven children of Dr. John Leitch (1849–1896), a doctor and botanist and Catherine Edith Redford (1858–1937). She was educated at home and at Carlisle Girls' High School. She became proficient at golf at an early age, and played the Silloth course with her sisters who were also avid golfers.^[1]

Golf career

Leitch, with her sister, c. 1912

In 1914 she won the first of her four British Ladies Amateurs, taking the title from Muriel Dodd. Her opportunity to possibly win several more was interrupted for five years during World War I. When the Championship was restarted after the war, she won her second straight title then the following year made it three in a row. Leitch was able to reach the Championship finals on six occasions, and in 1926 won her fourth British title, a record she shares with Joyce Wethered. She received golf lessons from Thomas Renouf, the head professional at Silloth.^[2]

Leitch retired from competition in 1928 having won 12 UK national titles, plus five French Ladies Amateurs and one Canadian Women's Amateur.^[3]

Leitch was a regular writer on golf for newspapers and magazines, and published three books on golf: Golf for Girls (1911), Golf (1922), and Golf Simplified (1924).^{[1] [4] [5] [6]}

Later Life

After retirement from competitive golf, Leitch worked in the antiques trade and later in cinema.^[1] She was a prominent member of many voluntary and campaigning organisations, including the National Playing Fields Association the Central Council of Physical Recreation, and the YMCA.^[1] She also played a key role in the foundation of the Women Golfers' Museum.^[7]

Death

Leitch died on 16 September 1977 at her home in London.^[1][8]